The Deadly Kiss of Plagiarism

The deadly kiss of plagiarism, dear Big Cats, stalks the romance publishing world currently. So, today beneath the sapphire-tinted cloud-streaming skies of the cattle prairie, the Kougar offers her comment from the Passionate Ink forum. For a complete viewing of perspectives on this volatile issue check out the forum as a guest.

When I was attending Junior College way back when, I was accused of plagiarism. It about killed my soul, since I was utterly innocent. I cried for hours in the student union. It's left a scar I can't ever seem to get rid of...mostly because people didn't believe I was innocent, no matter what fact I presented to them, what truthful explanation.
Truthfully, it's made me leery of trusting anyone over this issue, so I go to extreme lengths to keep absolutely everything I've ever written, hand-written, dated, etc. Just in case.
I'm not certain how I come down on the issue with Cassie Edwards. I'd like more info on the whole matter. However, in the case of the RWA, if she's not a member, as they stated, why are they responsible for anything other than stating their policy, which they did.
Like Lauren stated, the real issue gets lost in the shark-feeding frenzy -- sorry, Lauren, if I just plagiarized you. I admit! I admit! I admit it! Sorry, overly dramatic here. Just to say I agree with you about the real issue getting lost in the whole soap opera melee'.
I also have to agree with Barry's view, why get all nit picky about every little thing. Now if some one's scene is quoted verbatim, or so close it's obvious, that's another matter. Although I've read stories where the scenes were so similar someone could have accused one author of plagiarism.
Maybe Ms. Edwards will simply get a career boost from all this discussion. You know, unfortunately being on the fast track of elderly -- which I absolutely despise -- I'm sorry, but sometimes your brain, your ability to think and know things does change. I would blame her editors more than anybody. For all we know she asked what was appropriate in the use of non-fictional research, and was told what was legal, then followed that advice. If it is strictly legal, okay, you can have a moral objection and not read her books. But to be so vicious, I'm sorry, you need to show really dishonest intent here. IMHO.
Regarding Ms. Roberts, yes, she's been through the mill on plagiarism when Janet 'I forgot her last name' did plagiarize one of her love scenes, and eventually admitted it.That's where Robin's wisdom comes into the discussion. Hey, there are only so many plots, titles, ways of description -- and when you describe a love scene or anything going on in the story, too far out of the box, you can't sell. I know I live that road everyday.

Big Lovely Kitties, for an insider's view of the literary agent from Kelly Mortimer, run on over to Title Magic. Moi's probably unpopular comment is below, as well as a response to Holli on the previous day's blog.

Kelly, you sound like one heck of an agent! I wish...but as a reader I absolutely HATE the way the word 'said' is used these days. So I don't use it. Ever! Except in the dialogue itself. Or in a parody situation such as 'he said, she said'.I'm hoping readers and reviews will be open to my way of tagging dialogue scenes, as I do in ALL SHADES OF BLUE PARADISE. For authors who are okay with e-publishing maybe Siren Publishing will give you a shot at another way of writing. Like they are me.

Holli, you and I could have been blood sisters! I devoured every Walter Farley I could get my little grubby paws on! And wanted to race horses too. Fortunately I did get my half-Arab filly, Pride, and she was fast! clocked her at 40 mph once, riding bareback.

Blue sapphire sky kisses from the Kougar...

Sparkling Crystal Ball Kisses

It's official, dear Big Cats, 2008, the numerological year of ONE, has taken over. Yes, the Kougaress watched the new greenie lcd-light crystal ball descend most magically in Times Square. Indeed, the Kougar just adores that ostentatious incredible sparkle of crystal and color. Just as she is extremely fond of diamonds and rhinestones (most gifts accepted). She would, having enough funds, wish to possess a New Year's Eve ball for her very own, enjoy it's glitter-enchanting descent often. Too bad, another dream bites the prairie dust.
And one more dream has bitten the dust of age, or the sageing and ageing world of Shirley McClaine (sp?). Parties. The Kougaress adores a good party -- an eclectic assortment of parties. Although, sadly and unsadly, she has never been a party girl. This life experience in the strange realm of Earth, in this human realm the parties are sadly lacking in overall quality, yes, cosmic-generally. A very sad...the Kougar's fur face reflects wrinkly crinkly sadness...state of planetary affairs.
As the Kougaress wrote on her beloved Passionate Ink forum:
A party only in my dreams! Would have loved to indulge in the bubbly and lived on the dance floor. May we all enjoy life more.
And.
Happy New Year, Ladies of the Passionate Ink. I raise a celebratory toast to all of our incredible successes in 2008. It's a ONE year numerology-speaking. Ambition, drive, new beginnings, to name a few characteristics.

To digress a bit, at this calendar's turning, this is what the Kougar dreams for herself and for everyone:

Today's Daily Word - Tuesday, January 1, 2008
This is the year!
This is the year that my dreams come true!

These words from a beloved poem invite me to eagerly welcome the new year: "Wonderful, wonderful, fortunate you, This is the year that your dreams come true!"
This is the year that my dreams do come true as I am blessed with life-celebrating opportunities. Some at first may appear to be happenstance. Yet I know that they have come to me by divine appointment.
This is the year that expectations flow from my vision of good. I am an active participant in the joy-filled life of me!
This is the year that I move forward with zeal and enthusiasm, giving and receiving, committing to purposeful, rewarding goals.
This is the year that brings happiness, a year that I will live to bless. Wonderful, wonderful, fortunate me, for this is the year that my dreams come true!
"Is anything too wonderful for the Lord?"—Genesis 18:14

New Year Big Kitties! trot on over to Title Magic for Mai's beautifully written blog on goals and what they mean for your life and your success.

Below is the Kougar's wisdom for her own life as lived upon the Mother:

Yay! Mai, go!Goals. Fortunately or unfortunately specific goals and I parted company a number of years ago. Or perhaps changed to living in the perpetual question of: what can I get done day-by-day? As a general goal I will simply grow my career as best as I can and continue writing the stories I love.I find it utterly fascinating how differently people respond to setting goals. For some goal-setting enhances their life, what they want to achieve. For others, it looks like specific goals just gets them going in the wrong directions. What does everyone think? How do goals help you?

Sparkling crystal ball kisses from the Kougar...